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It’s been a decade since the start of the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan, what came to be called “Operation Enduring Freedom.” NATO forces struck key Al Qaeda targets and toppled the Taliban government, forcing them to flee to the mountains. But those fighters never gave up, and to this day, Afghanistan is a nation at war. The U.S. currently has over 100,000 troops in Afghanistan, and it is officially the longest war in U.S. history.

On Friday, hundreds of people took to the streets in San Francisco to mark the anniversary and protest the ongoing war, especially its growing cost – which for 2011 alone is projected to be a total of $118 billion.

And yesterday, Afghans for Peace hosted a march through Fremont’s “Little Kabul” district. The area is known as having the largest concentration of Afghans in the U.S. A diverse group gathered – people of all nationalities from all over the Bay Area came together to speak for peace, and against Islamophobia. KALW’s Sara Bernard was there, and brings us this snapshot

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PROTESTERS (chanting): Peace not war. Peace not war…

WOMAN 1: …I came to be a part of this citizens of Afghanistan that say no to war. As an American citizen, I feel it’s our obligation to know where our tax dollar is going.

MAN: I live in Berkeley, California, and I’m here to show solidarity with the Afghan people as an American Indian. And to show that bringing people together creates an example for other people who wish to be part of the same.

WOMAN 2: We are suffering. We are like thirsty for peace. I came from Monterey, California. Two months ago I was in Afghanistan. I saw my country. There was some development, positive moments. But there was like, the majority of people, they are just looking for security. The only things they have … the Afghan people are talented, powerful. They have the power to work, but there is no work. They have the talent to have education. There is no education.

MAN: Personally, meeting Afghan people and seeing that the toll it has on their minds and their psyche and their well being, it reminds me a lot of what happens to American Indians. And they were both perpetrated by the United States. And as an American Indian citizen and an American citizen, as people also have Afghan citizenship and American citizenship, there is a responsibility to both nations. And people of all nations need to come together and speak out against injustice such as this.

WOMAN 1: So I came to be a part of that reality, to see change. And to support what our president said – you know, change.

WOMAN 2: So this is why the only things they ask, they’re just looking for peace and security. And this is the only things that I want to raise their voice here, in this environment that I’m living in: peace. And my son is living and have education and peace for environment. I need the same thing for my countrymen. They are suffering from the peace, and the lack of security in Afghanistan. This is why I want to join this, like peace of action to elaborate about what we as an Afghan American, we want peace for both nations.

PROTESTERS (chanting): War is not the answer. Stop the war…

MAN: I love to be here with people that are non-Afghans. And non-Muslims that are concerned about what’s going on in this world.

WOMAN 1: We really have to do better. And it doesn’t matter what ethnic race, class, or whatever. Just as a human being, it’s an obligation that we have to serve our people, wherever we are. And we’re here. So we start at home first.

PROTESTORS (chanting): We want peace…

How will you mark this tenth anniversary? What are your reflections on our longest war in history? Tell us on our Facebook page.